With no boundary fences between it and the world renowned Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand enjoys an abundance of diverse wildlife. The entire Big Five is well represented, and other rare animals, such as the cheetah and hyena are often sighted. Various antelope species, from impala, waterbuck and duiker to kudu, bushbuck and nyala can also be seen. However, it is the leopard that is the real star of the show, with the area well known for some of the best leopard experiences in Africa. This shy and elusive animal, normally the most solitary of the African cats is often viewed both in daylight hours and during game drives.

In contrast to the leopard, lion are the most sociable of the cat family and prides may consist of up to 12 related females and their cubs, as well as a far smaller number of related males, often brothers. A number of lion prides have territories in the area and are regularly seen on game drives. In the middle of the cat social range is the cheetah. Although not as common as the leopard or lion, cheetah are also frequently sighted. Built for speed instead of power, this formidable predator generally hunts during the day when its rivals are resting. This daytime hunting habit occasionally creates spectacular sightings of the fastest animal in the world in action.

Night drives are an important part of the game viewing experience and provide an opportunity to view many unusual animals. The beautifully patterned African civet is one such nocturnal creature. Hiding in holes or thickets until after sunset, it cannot be viewed during daylight hours. Another animal often encountered is the dwarf mongoose, Africa’s smallest carnivore. Family troops of up to 30 live in numerous hiding places in the sides of termite mounds. A typical though hair-raising sound often encountered on night drives is the wail of the bushbaby, a forlorn noise that imitates the plaintive cry of a human infant.

Recent Sightings from Wildwatch.com

LEOPARD KILL! - 04 February 2010
From the morning tracks eventually Eric (the tracker) managed to find the Shikavi leopardess resting up in the thickets close to the Shonalee Dam behind River Lodge. After 15 minutes the leopard got up and walked slowly away looking for cooler shadier...
Read more about this sighting

Wild Dogs Face Down Elephant - 01 February 2010
There is nothing very subtle about an African Wild Dog, which is what makes them such wonderful animals to follow on a game drive. What looks like chaos, with dogs running first one way, then the next, is actually a well-orchestrated and very effective...
Read more about this sighting

Impala eating an impala? - 28 January 2010
Armed with new cameras and binoculars James, Patrick, Jay, Anil, and Okan wanted to see all they could, and take as many photographs as possible. The most interesting of the sightings happening when we drove past a herd of impala. A ewe on the...
Read more about this sighting